House and Senate negotiators agreed to rescind the military's Covid-19 vaccine mandate, a measure that was added to secure GOP support for an annual defense-policy bill
WASHINGTON—House and Senate negotiators agreed to rescind the requirement that members of the military be vaccinated against Covid-19, a measure that was added to secure Republican support for the annual defense-policy bill that authorizes spending for new weapons and pay increases for troops.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke in favor of a proposal to fold an energy-permitting overhaul into the defense bill.Republicans had pushed for the bill to end the Defense Department’s Covid-19 vaccine rule from August 2021, arguing that it would help recruitment. Roughly 3,400 U.S. military members have been discharged for refusing to get the vaccine as of April, according to a letter that 13 Senate Republicans sent to party leaders on the issue last week.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had criticized Democrats for trying to include nondefense provisions, calling them a “grab bag of miscellaneous pet priorities.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had defended the proposals.Catch up on the headlines, understand the news and make better decisions, free in your inbox every day.“We’ve been working with Republicans,” he said. “It’s a priority for me. I’d like to get it done. We’ll try to discuss the best way to get it done.
“I think it’s becoming increasingly likely that we may need to do a short-term CR into early next year,” said Mr. McConnell, referring to a continuing resolution that keeps funding at current levels.
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